Prime Highlights
- The UAE drew $48.3bn in FDI in 2025, ranking ninth worldwide, as the AIM Investment Summit opened in Dubai.
- Non-oil foreign trade crossed Dhs1.9tn in H1 2026, with cumulative FDI stock above Dhs1.17tn.
Key Facts
- The summit runs until September 9 and expects 25,000 participants from 191 countries.
- Ethiopia’s president highlighted a planned $12.5bn airport and clean energy investment goals.
Background-
The AIM Investment Summit opened in Dubai as Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi announced that the UAE attracted $48.3bn in foreign direct investment in 2025, placing the country ninth globally among top FDI destinations.
Al Zeyoudi said the UAE’s cumulative FDI stock had crossed Dhs1.17tn, while non-oil foreign trade topped Dhs1.9tn in the first half of 2026. He said the country has built itself into a global trade and investment hub through an open economy, strong infrastructure and business-friendly rules. He named artificial intelligence, clean energy, climate technology, food and water security and sustainable infrastructure as key sectors for future investment.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated the 15th edition of the summit under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The three-day event runs until September 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre and expects 25,000 participants from 191 countries, along with 540 speakers across 103 sessions.
Sheikh Saud said shifting geopolitics, new technologies and the energy transition are reshaping the world economy. He pointed to Ras Al Khaimah’s growth, noting the emirate now hosts more than 73,000 companies from over 100 countries and plans to triple tourist arrivals by 2030.
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, the summit’s guest of honour, spoke about opportunities in clean energy, agriculture and infrastructure, including a planned $12.5bn airport and 13,000 MW of renewable capacity by 2030.
